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Updated over 8 years ago, 04/13/2016
DIY - Site Grading Work - Tractor / Backhoe Rec?
I bought 8 lots + a little cabin I was looking to have fun with and learn my tractor/backhoe operating skills. I see a lot of different little tractor / backhoe combinations. I've rented them before to dig up water lines, etc on my other rentals; however, really am not experienced in this realm. Does anyone recommend a good beginner tractor/backhoe for site prep work? I am not mechanically inclines either, so I need to take that into consideration on my purchase. Thank You!
What are you looking to do ?, dig foundations ? clear the lots ? move soil, stone ? for full basement foundations you will need a decent size machine. for trench footings, clear lots and move soil, why not look into something like a John Deere, where you can put different accessories on the machine - backhoe, bucket, lawn mower, post hole digger etc. ?
I was looking to clear lots, move soil - I had looked online and seen Kuboda TLB Series or the John Deer Compact Utility and they seemed decent. Different accessories makes good sense, especially for different tasks that could arise in the future. Are accessories pretty interchangeable among different models?
Wow this is extremely complicated stuff. I would not even recommend doing it if you had 20 years dirt work and underground utilities. It is something that I would want someone with at least 35 years experience coordinating.
@Ryland Taniguchi Well, for me it's 8 parcels of land I can just play with. I have no intent of selling them, really it's just a fun place for me to play around learning to use a tractor and backhoe and make the land a little nicer for me to enjoy.
Originally posted by @Zach Schwarzmiller:
@Ryland Taniguchi Well, for me it's 8 parcels of land I can just play with. I have no intent of selling them, really it's just a fun place for me to play around learning to use a tractor and backhoe and make the land a little nicer for me to enjoy.
Oh cool. I thought you were digging underground utility trenches!
I have before for other rental properties when I installed new water lines. But not for this particular time. I enjoy being outside doing the work. This is more for fun and experience.
I do not think the parts are interchangeable from one manufacturer to another kubota is a good brand , iv'e used a couple of their machines and they are nice to use. i would check out the accessories they offer and the price difference. there are a lot of other brands out there, for what you want to do, i wouldn't get a big machine, a tractor size machine with the backhoe and bucket should be sufficient, you can get one with those two and if they have accessories like i mentioned in the last post, you can get them as needed
When I did my property, just a small lot, I had a small excavator to dig stumps up and move the big rocks out but to actually grade the lot a bobcat was amazing. And if your looking to have some fun the bobcat is where it's at.
Originally posted by @Ryland Taniguchi:
Wow this is extremely complicated stuff. I would not even recommend doing it if you had 20 years dirt work and underground utilities. It is something that I would want someone with at least 35 years experience coordinating.
Why? It is not that complicated but you need to have a good touch in case existing utilities cross the utility trench you are digging.
The best excavation operator I knew probably had 10 years of experience and he god dig an egg out of a sand pile with a backhoe (something done at backhoe rodeos).
Tractors are for farmers. A mid to large size skid loader will be exponentially better for site work, and you can rent many different attachments like trencher, mower, backhoe, etc. Have fun!